Read Online His Reluctant Lady by Ruth Ann Nordin - Free Book Online Page A

arrange
if one is creative enough.”
    “ Do you take such delight in
being a rake?”
    “ I don’t mind being one. My
cousin does but I don’t let his opinion stop me from doing what I
want. I will only delight in taking you as my wife, and I will do
whatever it takes to make that happen.”
    “ Hmm… That sounds like a
threat.”
    He shrugged but shot her a disarming
grin. “If you truly minded my company, you’d find a way to join in
the conversation up there.” He nodded toward his guardian and her
sister. “I can’t help but notice you’ve stuck by my
side.”
    “ Only to give my sister time
to get acquainted with your guardian.”
    “ If you insist…”
    She narrowed her eyes at his tone. She
shouldn’t be surprised that he didn’t believe her. The gentleman
must assume every lady was hoping he’d pay attention to her. Well,
she had no need to give into his delusions. She urged the horse to
quicken its pace so that she was riding alongside her sister.
Offering Sophie and Lord Clement a smile, she asked, “Having a
pleasant conversation?”
    “ I can’t speak on Miss
Garrison’s behalf, but I am,” he replied.
    Agatha glanced at her sister who said,
“Yes, it’s pleasant.”
    “ Good,” Agatha replied. At
least someone was enjoying this afternoon excursion.
    “ Well, I’m having a
marvelous time,” Mister Robinson called out as he rode up along
Agatha’s other side. “I can’t remember when I’ve had so much
enjoyment. Maybe it’s the beautiful weather. It’s a gorgeous day.
The kind of day where everyone should be outside.”
    “ I couldn’t have said it
better myself,” Lord Clement agreed. “And it certainly is nice to
be in the company of such beautiful ladies.”
    “ Yes, that’s true,” Mister
Robinson added, winking at Agatha.
    Her hold on the reins
tightened, and as much as she wanted to believe it was because he
was irritating her, a strange spark of excitement shot through her.
The gentleman had the charm of a rake but seemed to possess a hint
of innocence as well. She didn’t get the sense he made it a habit
of pursuing ladies. At least he never made it in the Tittletattle , and if
anyone should know which gentlemen pursued the ladies, she would.
Not once did his name pop up in any of the circles she attended
when she dressed up as Gerard
Addison.
    She needed to submit a piece
of gossip to the Tittletattle before the week was up. That meant she had to find
a way to slip out of the townhouse again without being caught in
her disguise. She groaned. Between helping Sophie find a husband
and masquerading as two gentlemen, she had little time to write as
of late, and it was starting to annoy her.
    “ Something troubling you, my
lady?”
    She looked at Mister
Robinson who continued to smile in that irritatingly charming way
of his. “Actually, there is. Have you done anything worthy of
the Tittletattle ?”
    “ I should hope not,” Lord
Clement said with a slight frown at his ward.
    “ I’ve been on my best
behavior ever since I returned from Lord Roderick’s estate,” he
told his guardian, his tone indicating that he was offended by the
notion anyone would think otherwise. Turning his gaze back to
Agatha, he added, “Truly, I have been a saint.”
    She sighed in disappointment. While she
didn’t expect him to come out and admit any scandalous behavior in
front of his guardian, she’d hoped his expression would hint at
something she could extract from him. Well, she’d have to pay Ethan
a visit. Perhaps he heard of something at White’s she could use
unless Mister Robinson knew something. He was Ethan’s friend, after
all.
    “ I’ll let you get back to
your conversation,” she told Sophie and Lord Clement then pulled
the reins on her horse so it slowed.
    As she hoped, Mister Robinson followed
her lead and returned to her side. “I don’t blame you for leaving
them,” he told her. “I think they were discussing the weather and
horses. Boring topics, if